Crofton man found guilty in bench trial, fined $1,000

Anthony W. Hoffman, 51, of Crofton faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O'Neill on July 7 for trial on two counts. Hoffman waived his right to jury trial.

He was charged with hunting without permission and second-degree criminal trespass, both Class 3 misdemeanors. Boyd County attorney Avery Gurnsey was appointed as special prosecutor by Burdick in January, after Holt County attorney Brent Kelly declared a conflict of interest. Gurnsey amended Count I to aiding and abetting, "Did aid, abet, procure or cause Jeffrey Amorello to commit the offense of hunting without permission in the taking of a whitetail deer upon private lands without permission of the owner...," still a Class 3 misdemeanor.

After listening to witnesses and viewing other evidence, Burdick found Hoffman guilty of the amended Count I and Count II, as charged. Hoffman was fined $500 on each count and assessed $50 costs of prosecution. He was self-represented.

Tanner J. Storjohann, 21, of O'Neill appeared for further arraignment on a Class 1 misdemeanor, third-degree assault. The complaint was amended by Kelly, to a Class 2 misdemeanor, assault by mutual consent. Storjohann pleaded no contest and was judged guilty by Burdick. He was fined $1,000 and assessed $50 costs for the April 2 offense. Storjohann was represented by Michael Sholes of O'Neill.

Five Holt County defendants recently pleaded guilty by waiver to offenses committed in O'Neill.

Cole A Rosenkrans, 21, of O'Neill pleaded guilty to speeding (64 mph in 50 mph zone) and possession of open alcohol container, infractions committed June 3. Originally cited for 73 mph in 50 mph zone, the speeding count was amended by Holt County attorney Brent Kelly. He was fined $75 and $50, respectively, and assessed $49 costs.

Robert D. Burge, 76, of Amelia was fined for five counts committed July 3 - $50 for unlawful/fictitious display of renewal tags (had a June 2023 renewal tag but plates/VIN expired June 2022), a Class 3 misdemeanor; $25 for no valid registration, a Class 3 misdemeanor; $50 for possession of open alcohol container, an infraction; $25 for filing to use turn signal, an infraction; and $25 for driving left of center, an infraction.

Darik M. Chamberlain, 20, of O'Neill pleaded guilty to violating an O'Neill city ATV/UTV regulation (driving after dark, expired registration and not wearing seatbelt) on June 2. He was fined $25 and $49 costs.

Lane F. Ebsen, 19, of O'Neill was fined $35 and $49 costs for first-offense possession of tobacco, committed June 17.

A 15-year-old male juvenile was fined $35 and $49 costs for first-offense possession of tobacco, committed May 11.